February is the month of LOVE! And although Valentine’s Day usually takes center stage, we wanted to show some love to Heart Health Month.
Heart disease affects millions of Americans every year; high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking all increase your chances of heart disease. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to decrease your risk of developing heart disease:
Avoid tobacco use → smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States
Manage any existing conditions →
Get active → Try to move your body for at least 30 minutes each day, 5x per week
Consume a heart-healthy diet → low in added fat, sugar & salt, but high in whole grains & fiber
Unfortunately heart disease is becoming more common in younger adults, so you’re never too young to
start caring for your heart! Considering these ways for engaging your students & staff
to get involved in Heart Health Month campaigns:
Host a walkathon or 5K
Encourage movement breaks throughout the day
Promote different heart healthy options on the menu, such as the whole grain offering each day or weekly bean/ pea/ legume, which is packed with fiber
Good news for everyone is that a little chocolate can actually be good for your heart, so feel free to enjoy a few heart-shaped chocolates this Valentine’s day!
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